Dulcet Tones

Dear readers, it started on Monday morning as I was about to leave for work. The telephone rang (which is unusual in our house at 7.00am in the morning ). Usually at that time of day one can expect either financially challenged or suddenly pregnant children, but no, this time it was a call from an old friend of my late mothers -Dulcie Tennant. Mother always used to refer to her affectionately as Dulcet Tones.

When I tell you that my dear mother Iris died in 1980 at the age of 70 you will appreciate that her old school friend Dulcie is now around 99 and since she is now partially deaf, conversation proceeded, or perhaps preceded is the correct term, at a rather pedestrian rate. Dulcie however, despite her advanced age has many up to date ideas and has managed to stay in the forefront of technology. Her greatest love is her old period cottage, and above all her most treasured possession….her 1941 cream traditional solid fuel Aga.

“ Lugging this wretched coal about is really getting me down dear “ she said using an almost exact impression of Michael Winner. “ Is it possible you could switch it over to some other fuel dear”. “Well Auntie Dulcie” I shouted back ( in the interests of not having to repeat things at least three times ), “It would definitely be better for you to change it over to oil or gas. Less work for you, how about the colour ?”.” I suppose you want to keep it traditional cream ?” “Aubergine dear” she skwarked, its all the rage, I saw it on your web thingy at http://www.twyford-cookers.com/ can you change it to Aubergine ? “

“Well of course I can” I said, instantly realising that this job was going to be overseen like a military operation with Dulcet Tones as the five star general. I was already thinking I’d probably made a rod for my own back as now 5 minutes late I lurched on to the station platform at 8.35 to get the 8.30 for Paddington. Still, what is life without a challenge I thought as I was forced to leap onto the train which was now almost halfway out of the station. “Dulcet Tones” I whispered as my knee banged the edge of the open carriage door.